DUBUQUE, Iowa – More than a century-old rainfall record tumbled in Dubuque Monday morning as 4.85 inches of rain fell at the city’s airport, breaking the previous daily precipitation record of 3.36 inches set in 1911. The National Weather Service said it marks the sixth wettest day ever recorded in Dubuque and the heaviest single-day rainfall since 2010.
According to the NWS Quad Cities office, most of the extreme rainfall was concentrated near the airport, with radar estimates showing 2 to 3 inches in the city itself. Additional showers are possible this afternoon, which could push totals even higher by evening.
Heavy rain early Monday led to ponding on roads, reduced visibility, and slowed traffic across eastern Iowa. Drivers are urged to use caution, especially on low-lying streets prone to flooding. City crews have been monitoring storm drains to prevent backups.
While widespread flooding has not yet been reported, emergency managers advise residents to keep devices charged and avoid driving through standing water. Any additional rainfall today could trigger localized flooding in areas with saturated ground.
